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Hi, if anyone has a Canon HV40 can you help please.
My old Canon MV630i has problems which will cost too much to repair. I am looking at the HV40 as I have a lot of mini DV tapes to put on DVD. Can you advise if the HV40 will play back the standard mini tape in 4:3 mode as well as 16:9? does the camera just take 16:9 video?

Thanks

I don't have the HV40, nor even the HV30, but the HV20. However, I don't believe the architecture of the camera will have changed. Basically, if you are talking only about playback of existing tapes, it will play them back with whatever the original aspect of the tapes was. Similarly, capturing via Firewire from it (as long as you have the camera set to output in DV format and not HDV) will be in the original format of the video on the tape. (I am not sure in any case that the camera could be set to output HDV if the tape was playing DV...)

I thought that the MV630i filmed in 16:9 mode.... (I only use Canon cameras, both video and still, and have had a variety including the 430i and 940i, and now the HV20...)

Hi Ken,

thanks for you comments, yes the MV630i does record in 16:9 mode but I must admit I never used it, alway's said I should give it a go but never got around to trying it.

I've been looking for a second hand HV20 or HV30 but not seen one advertised as yet. It looks as though the HV40 may be the last mini tape model, so may have to splash out.

I can't imagine they are phasing the mini DV format cameras out. The professional end of the market still likes them!

Good point Ken.

I'm afraid mini dv tape cams in the comsumer market are very fast becoming obsolete, but some models should be around for a while.
One thing that may cause problems is if you recorded your tapes in LP mode.
This can very often cause problems when playing back on another cam, even of the same make.
SP is std on all cams and won't be a problem.

Thanks for comment Graham
food for thought.

Hi

Yes I got my HV40 (PAL) in Jun of This Year. It does record in 16:9 (wide )in HD as well as in normal DV mode. Brilliant picture but the sound is not that great when you set the camera to manual. I will be investing in the Juicedlink sound booster soon.